Discovering Palazzo Ubaldini and the Parish Church of San Martino
With its beautiful loggia of honour, formed by eight columns surmounted by elegant Ionic capitals, onto which the finely framed windows of the piano nobile look out. At the centre of the colonnade stands the well or snow pit: it was used to collect and store snow for almost the whole year, for food and for preserving foodstuffs.
On the ground floor are the “G. Perugini” municipal theatre (with just 42 seats, the smallest in the Marche region) and the music hall (used as a courtroom during the Ubaldini era), featuring a cross-vaulted ceiling adorned with elegant 15th-century corbels and a fireplace bearing the coat of arms of the Ubaldini counts: a stag’s head with an eight-pointed star. From the colonnade, one can access the palace’s cellars; these are spacious rooms with barrel vaults, once used as stables and cellars; today they house the Monte Nerone Fossil and Mineral Museum, which boasts one of the richest and most interesting collections of ammonites and various palaeontological specimens in Europe. On the main floor of the palace is the Town Council chamber, and in the adjoining rooms there is an interesting exhibition of archaeological finds from various periods unearthed in the local area.
The other rooms are equipped to host exhibitions and cultural events.
Overlooking the square in front of Palazzo Ubaldini stands the parish church of San Martino, now the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross, inside which, in a display case above the high altar, is preserved the 17th-century wooden crucifix, an object of particular veneration. Also housed within the church are several 17th-century paintings, including the ‘Madonna del Carmelo’, attributed to Giovan Giacomo Pandolfi, and a baptismal fresco attributed to Giorgio Picchi.
A journey into the heart of history
In the heart of the picturesque village of Apecchio, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, stands one of the country’s most fascinating historical landmarks: the Medieval Bridge. Also known as the ‘Donkey’s Back Bridge’ due to its characteristic arched shape, this stone bridge dates back to the 14th century and is a magnificent example of medieval engineering.
Built over the River Biscubio, the bridge connected the two parts of the village and served as a strategic hub for the commercial and military links of the time. Constructed entirely from local stone, the bridge stands out for its understated elegance, its enduring strength and its unique arch, which casts a striking reflection in the waters below.
One of the bridge’s most intriguing features is the mullioned window (a small arched window) situated in the centre, above the main arch, which was probably used as a vantage point or to lighten the structure. Today, the bridge is accessible only on foot and is a must-see for anyone visiting Apecchio, framed by picturesque views and surrounded by historic buildings.
As well as its architectural significance, the Medieval Bridge is also a symbol of Apecchio’s identity and history, a silent witness to centuries of life, trade and traditions.
Recently, some historians have suggested that the medieval bridge was depicted by Raphael Sanzio in his famous painting ‘La Madonna del Cardellino’ (Madonna del Cardellino in honour of the Ubaldini della Carda family), where, looking at the bottom left of the painting, the bridge at Apecchio is depicted, whilst on the right we can see the town of Cagli.
According to well-reasoned hypotheses, Raphael may well have actually crossed the Apecchio bridge when, as a young man, he spent around three years in Città di Castello to carry out a number of commissions.
Today, the bridge is an important site of historical and cultural interest, a silent witness to daily life and rural activities from a bygone era.
Stage 1 of the recommended route
Tourist office
Piazza San Martino
Tel. 0722 99249
Cell. 366 137 7489 – WhatsApecchio
iatapecchio@gmail.com
Bookings:
prenotazioni@lamacina.it
The smallest in the Marche region
The G. Perugini Theatre is situated in Apecchio, within the 15th-century Palazzo Ubaldini. It is the smallest theatre listed amongst the Historic Theatres of the Marche region, with just 42 seats and a small gallery.
It has been in operation since 1876, the year the Società Filodrammatica Apecchiese was founded. After a hiatus, the society was re-established in 1974 and continues to stage dialect plays throughout the year.
In 2000, following a restoration commissioned by the local community, the theatre was named after Maestro Giuseppe Perugini. A central figure in local culture, he wrote numerous plays and oversaw the theatre’s interior design, including the curtain, which he painted himself.
In 2019, further functional improvements were carried out. Since then, thanks to the curator Nicola Nicchi, the theatre has hosted major companies, such as the Teatro Due from Parma and the Teatro Nazionale from Genoa. Today, the Teatro Perugini is a landmark on the Italian theatre scene. Many companies submit proposals, and Apecchio frequently hosts national premieres. The theatre’s strength lies in the support of the community: local residents, the local council, local businesses and the Società Filodrammatica. In recent years, a collaboration has also developed with the Teatro di Cagli and the director Carlo Boso.
A vibrant, unique and community-driven cultural institution.
Stage nr 7 del Percorso Consigliato
